fratcher



(No Model.)

D. W. FRATOHER. INFORMATION CABINET.

No. 558,723. Patented Apr. 21, 1896.

UNITE STATES Fries.

ATENT DAVID \V. FRATCIIER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO XVILLIAM F. FRATGI'IER, OF SAME PLACE.

INFORMATION-CABINET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 558,723, dated April 21, 1896. Application filed August 13, 1895. Serial No. 559,184. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, DAVID W. FRATCHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of \Vayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Information-Cabinets, of which the following is a specification, ref erence being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an informationcabinet especially designed to be placed in railway-stations, hotels, and other public places; and it is the object of my invention to furnish a means by which a stranger may more readily and speedily obtain any desired information than by consulting an ordinary directory.

The invention consists in the peculiar c011- struction, arrangement, and combination of parts, as more fully hereinafter described.

I11 the drawings, Figure 1 is' a perspective view of my device. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof with the sliding back partially withdrawn. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through one of the rolls. Fig. 4 is a detail showing the manner of. securing the rolls in the cabinet.

A is a casing or cabinet, preferably constructed, as shown in the drawings, in the form of a shallow rectangular box divided into a number of compartments by the longitndinal division-strips B.

The sides of these compartments are pro vided with a series of inclined slots 0, adapted to receive the ends D of the spring-rollers E, which are arranged closely together, so as to fill the entire compartment.

Upon each roller is wound a flexible strip F of any suitable material, upon which is printed the information to be imparted. The ends of these strips pass out through slots G in the front of the cabinet and arev provided with loops II, adapted to receive the rods 1, which are of large diameter and slightly-greater length than the slots G, so as to completely conceal said slots when the strips are wound upon the roll. In order to economize space, both sides of the strips F are covered with the printed matter, and to enable the inquirer to readily read each side I provide a reversible connection between the strip and the roll by which when the strip is drawn completely out of the slot either side may be turned up. This connection preferably consists of the cross ribbons or cords J, attached at one end to the sheetmetal binding-strip K at the upper end of the flexible strip F. The other end of the ribbons may be attached to the roll by hooks L, so as to be easilydetached therefrom.

The back of the cabinet is closed byasliding cover M. The front may be paneled or ornamented in any way desired and above each of the slots a name-plate N may be placed, designating the character of the information printed on its corresponding strip F, which plates may be arranged in alphabetical order. At the top of the cabinet is preferably placed a panel 0, upon which the object of and direction for using the cabinet are printed in large letters, so as to call the attention of all passers-by..

To use the cabinet any one of the flexible strips may be pulled out by means of hooks or knobs P, attached to each of the rods I. If the desired information is not on the upper side of the strip, the latter may be reversed by a simple twist of the fingers. On releasing hold of the strip it will be drawn back into the cabinet by the springroller.

The strips F may be changed whenever necessary, either by unhooking them from the rolls E or the roll itself may be removed from the slots 0.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. The combination of a casing, a springroll thereon, a flexible strip held normally wound upon said roll by .the tension of the spring, the free end of said strip passing out through a slot in the casing, and a connection between said roll and strip comprising the cross ribbons or cords J, whereby the strip may be reversed when drawn out through the slot.

2. In an information-cabinet the combination of a casing having a removable back and divided by strips B into compartments, the inclined slots 0 formed in the sides of said compartments each extending to and adapted to be closed by said removable back, springrolls working in said slots, flexible strips held normally wound upon said rolls by the tension of the springs their free ends passing through slots in the casing, and the rods I secured to said free ends of strips adapted to conceal the slots, substantially as described.

3. In an information-cabinet the combination of casing, having a removable back and divided into compartments by longitudinal division-strips, the inclined slots 0 formed in the ends of each compartment, springrolls adapted to be secured in said slots, flexible strips held normally Wound upon said rolls by the tension of the spring, their free ends passing out through slots in the casing and a connection between said roll and strip consisting of the cross ribbons or cords J, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

DAVID W. FRATCI-IER. Vitnesses:

M. B. ODOGHERTY, S. M. HULBERT. 

